Australian Culture (or the lack of it)
Culture
I took this picture a few years ago while I was on holiday. It is not my front yard but I thought I would include it here to show how cultures modify traditions or myths in order to suit their own cultural dynamic. Obviously the tradition of christmas and Santa Claus originates in the northern hemisphere and is part of a long history associated not only with christianity but paganistic seasonal traditions; (reindeers, snow, evergreen trees etc) and has been translocated to other nations in the southern hemisphere.
In Australia, the largest continent in the southern hemisphere, reindeers are not a native species. The herbivore which fills a similar role here is the kangaroo, which are colloquially known as "boomers". The name "boomers" relates to the booming noise that their large feet make as they jump and make contact with the dry earth. So a traditional Australian christmas song becomes "six white boomers" which describes the six kangaroos which pull Santa's sleigh.
Lyrics for "Six White Boomers"
I took this picture a few years ago while I was on holiday. It is not my front yard but I thought I would include it here to show how cultures modify traditions or myths in order to suit their own cultural dynamic. Obviously the tradition of christmas and Santa Claus originates in the northern hemisphere and is part of a long history associated not only with christianity but paganistic seasonal traditions; (reindeers, snow, evergreen trees etc) and has been translocated to other nations in the southern hemisphere.
In Australia, the largest continent in the southern hemisphere, reindeers are not a native species. The herbivore which fills a similar role here is the kangaroo, which are colloquially known as "boomers". The name "boomers" relates to the booming noise that their large feet make as they jump and make contact with the dry earth. So a traditional Australian christmas song becomes "six white boomers" which describes the six kangaroos which pull Santa's sleigh.
Lyrics for "Six White Boomers"
posted by beepbeepitsme | 10:59 pm
2 Comments:
Beep! Ya blog is looking great. Not seen you at PT for a while. It has gone down hill anyway. As for kangaroos pulling Santa's sleigh? Well, I always thought aussies were crackers! Anyone with any sense knows the 'REAL' Santa uses reindeers. Heheh
Take Care,
Codbless,
Sean (Cod666)
Thanks for the comment mate :)
Post a Comment
<< Home